Folding table.



J. P. RICHARDSON.

FOLDING TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED 001210, 1911.

1,064,254. Patented June 10,1913.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR Q. I fF/Mdrd oiz,

Z ATTdRNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co wAsnlNu'roN. D. c.

JOHN F. RICHARDSON, F EDITH, TEXAS.

FOLDING TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October. 10, 1911 Patented June 10, 1913.

Serial No. 653,774.

Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tables and particularly to. folding tables.

The object of this invention is; to provide the support-ing members hinged: together at the center of the table and pivotal connection at their free ends with the upper ends of crossed legs which are also pivoted, in

and legs as well as the table top 11. 15 b folded into a compact shape.

A further feature resides in the provision of stop lugs which hold the supporting members in proper position when the table is unfolded, and also in the provision of recesses in the members for receiving the lugs when the table is folded.

Finally the object of the invention is to provide means of the character described that will be strong, durable, efficient, and easy of operation, simple and comparatively inexpensive to construct, and also in which the several parts will not be likely to get out of working order.

IVith the above and other objects in view, the invention has relation to certain novel features of construction and operation, an example of which is described in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1. is a plan-view of the table, the top being omitted. Fig. 2. is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line S-S of Fig. 1, showing the table in its folded posit-ion in dotted lines, and Fig. 3. is a side elevation of the table.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates a pair of top supports preferably formed of met-a1. Each support comprises two oppositely directed members 2 and 3 placed in parallel relation. As the supports are substantially identical, a description of one will suffice for both. The members have their inner ends overlapped a short distance and are connected in hinged relation by a trans verse pin 4. The member 2 has a laterally extending stop lug 5 having its upper surface flush with the upper surface of the member. When the table is unfolded the flat end 6 of the member 3 abuts the end of the lug and the members are prevented fro-m folding below a horizontal position, said members being arrested with their upper surfaces in horizontal alinement.

When the table is folded the members swing upward, the member 2 having its inner end 7 rounded and the member 3 also having its inner end rounded at 8 below the straight position 6 to permit said folding movement. In its under edge the member 3 has a cut out port-ion or recess 9 as shown in Fig. 2, which receives the lug 5 when the table is folded as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. pairs, whereby the said supporting members At their outer or free ends the members are rounded and have pivoted connection by means of transverse pins 10 with plates 11 also having rounded ends. These plates engage the members on their outer sides, the one engaging the member 3 being on the opposite side to the one engaging the member 2 whereby said members stand between the plates when folded. Crossed legs 12 preferably of wood are recessed at their upper ends to receive the plate 11 so that the faces of each plate and its legs will be flush. Each leg has a width substantially equal to the combined width of the plate and memher to which it is attached. This permits the legs to stand in close relation at their point of crossing. The plates 11 project above the upper ends of the legs which latter are cut to stand under the members and shaped to swing about the rounded ends of the same.

It is of course understood that there are two pairs of legs. One pair of legs is spaced from the other by a shouldered rod 13 having its ends 1% reduced and passing through the legs at the crossing points of the latter. The legs are held against the shouldered portion of the rod by nuts 15 threaded on the ends 14.

The legs of one pair are connected with the legs of the other pair in alternate relation by horizontal braces 16 secured thereto about midway bet-ween the rod 13 and the lower ends of the leg. The braces are placed on the outer edges of the legs so that when the table is folded they will lie in vertical alinement as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The top of the table is formed of two sections 17 and 18 respectively. The inner longitudinal edges of the sections meet over the center of the pins 4:. The sections are suitably secured on the members transversely,

the section 17 being fastened on the members 3 and the section 18 on the members 2. In its underside and at its inner edge the section 18 is notched at 19 to permit the inner upper corners of the members 3 to pass during the folding of the table.

In folding the table the members and sections swing upward at the longitudinal center of the table and when completely folded all parts assume a vertical position, the top sections standing on each side of the memhere as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The top lugs 5 are of great importance as they limit the downward movement of the members and cause the sections to always form a level table top when folded and prevent the table top from sagging down under a heavy load and at the same time do not interfere with the compact folding of the table.

What I claim is:

In a folding table, a pair of transverse top by the legs and members may be folded in vertical parallel relation.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN F. RICHARDSON.

W'itnesses Mrs. R. E. DOUGLAS, J11, M. M. POWERS.

Ccpies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

